Overview:

Exodus 33 marks a pivotal point in Israel’s journey with God following the golden calf incident. The chapter describes God’s decision to continue His promise of leading the people into the Promised Land but with a severe consequence—His presence will no longer go with them due to their sin. Moses intercedes again, pleading for God’s presence to remain with them. The chapter culminates in Moses’ bold request to see God’s glory, to which God responds by revealing His goodness but shielding Moses from His full glory.

This chapter emphasizes themes such as the significance of God’s presence, the importance of intercession, the consequences of sin, and God’s mercy in responding to His people. Ultimately, this passage points to Jesus Christ, who is the full revelation of God’s glory and who secures the continued presence of God with His people.

Historical and Literary Context:

Exodus 33 takes place after the golden calf incident in Exodus 32, in which Israel’s rebellion led to a breach in their relationship with God. In this chapter, God reiterates His promise to bring Israel into the Promised Land, but He announces that He will no longer go with them personally due to their sin. The chapter also introduces the “tent of meeting,” where Moses regularly encounters God, and highlights Moses’ role as mediator between God and the people.

Literarily, this chapter transitions from God’s judgment on Israel’s sin to a renewed emphasis on the necessity of His presence for their journey and future success. Moses’ intercession stands at the center of this narrative, and his desire to see God’s glory points forward to the ultimate revelation of God in Christ.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

The Necessity of God’s Presence:

One of the central themes of this chapter is the absolute necessity of God’s presence for Israel’s journey and survival. Though God promises to send an angel to guide Israel, He declares that His own presence will not go with them because of their sin.

“Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” (Exodus 33:3).

God’s decision highlights the seriousness of sin and its consequences—separation from God’s presence. Moses understands the importance of God’s presence and pleads for Him to go with them, recognizing that without God’s presence, Israel is no different from any other nation. This foreshadows the New Testament reality that believers are marked by God’s presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17).

Intercession and God’s Mercy:

Moses’ intercession on behalf of the people continues in this chapter. He recognizes that Israel’s only hope is for God to remain with them, and he boldly pleads with God to change His decision.

“Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’” (Exodus 33:15-16).

Moses’ intercession moves God to relent and agree to accompany the people once again. This demonstrates the power of intercession and God’s mercy in responding to His people. Moses’ role as mediator points forward to Christ, the ultimate intercessor, who continually intercedes for believers before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).

The Tent of Meeting: Intimacy with God:

The “tent of meeting” is described as the place where Moses would meet with God outside the camp. It represents a place of intimacy and communion, where Moses speaks to God face to face.

“The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11).

This passage reveals the unique relationship between Moses and God, characterized by direct communication and deep intimacy. The tent of meeting foreshadows the New Testament reality of intimacy with God through Jesus Christ. Believers now have direct access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16), and the indwelling Holy Spirit allows for continual communion with God.

God’s Glory and the Revelation of His Goodness:

In one of the most profound moments in the Old Testament, Moses asks to see God’s glory. God responds by promising to show Moses His goodness and proclaim His name, but He shields Moses from seeing His full glory, allowing him only to see His back.

“Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ And the Lord said, ‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But… you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live’” (Exodus 33:18-20).

God’s response reveals that His glory is primarily expressed in His goodness, mercy, and compassion. While Moses is not allowed to see God’s face, this moment points forward to the ultimate revelation of God’s glory in Jesus Christ, who perfectly reveals the Father’s glory (John 1:14, Colossians 1:15).

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Exodus 33:1-3:

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants.” I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.’”

God reaffirms His promise to bring Israel into the Promised Land but warns that He will not go with them due to their rebellious nature. This reflects the seriousness of Israel’s sin and the consequences of their idolatry.

Exodus 33:4-6:

“When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites, “You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.” So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.’”

The people’s mourning and removal of their ornaments reflect their repentance and sorrow over their sin. They recognize the gravity of losing God’s presence and respond with humility and contrition.

Exodus 33:7-11:

“Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting.’ Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp… The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.”

The tent of meeting symbolizes intimacy and direct communication with God. Moses’ unique relationship with God, described as “face to face,” highlights the closeness and friendship that is possible through communion with God.

Exodus 33:12-13:

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, “Lead these people,” but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, “I know you by name and you have found favor with me.” If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.’”

Moses appeals to God’s favor and asks for guidance and assurance of His continued presence. His request reflects his deep desire for intimacy with God and his dependence on God’s leadership.

Exodus 33:14-17:

“The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here… What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.’”

In response to Moses’ intercession, God relents and promises that His presence will go with the people. Moses understands that God’s presence is essential for Israel’s identity and success, and he boldly pleads for God to remain with them.

Exodus 33:18-23:

“Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ And the Lord said, ‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence… But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’ Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’”

Moses’ bold request to see God’s glory is met with a gracious but limited revelation. God shows Moses His goodness and proclaims His name but shields him from seeing His full glory. This moment foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God’s glory in Jesus Christ, who is the full manifestation of God’s character and presence.

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Exodus 33 reveals several important theological truths, particularly regarding the significance of God’s presence, the power of intercession, and the nature of God’s glory. God’s presence is essential for Israel’s survival and success, and Moses’ intercession underscores the importance of prayer and the need for God’s continued presence. This points forward to Jesus Christ, who is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Through Christ, believers have the assurance of God’s abiding presence, and through the Holy Spirit, they experience intimate communion with God.

Moses’ request to see God’s glory foreshadows the full revelation of God’s glory in Christ. While Moses could only see a glimpse of God’s back, Jesus is the full revelation of the Father’s glory (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:3). Through Christ, believers are invited into a deeper understanding of God’s goodness, mercy, and grace.

Sermon Outline and Flow:

1. Introduction: The Necessity of God’s Presence in Our Journey
   • Set the context for Exodus 33, focusing on the aftermath of the golden calf incident and God’s decision to withhold His presence from Israel.
   • Introduce the themes of God’s presence, intercession, and the revelation of His glory.
2. Point 1: The Significance of God’s Presence
   • Discuss God’s initial decision to send an angel but withhold His personal presence and Moses’ recognition of the necessity of God’s presence.
   • Application: How can we cultivate a deep dependence on God’s presence in our lives and ministries, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing?
3. Point 2: The Power of Intercession
   • Explore Moses’ intercession on behalf of the people and God’s gracious response to his plea for His presence.
   • Application: How can we follow Moses’ example of bold intercession, trusting in God’s mercy and His willingness to respond to our prayers?
4. Point 3: Intimacy with God in the Tent of Meeting
   • Highlight the significance of the tent of meeting and Moses’ unique relationship with God, characterized by face-to-face communication.
   • Application: How can we cultivate intimacy with God through prayer and communion, recognizing that through Christ, we have direct access to the Father?
5. Point 4: The Revelation of God’s Glory
   • Discuss Moses’ request to see God’s glory and God’s response, revealing His goodness and mercy while shielding Moses from His full glory.
   • Application: How can we grow in our understanding of God’s character and glory, recognizing that Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s glory?

Illustrations and Examples:

• Share a personal story or historical example of someone relying on God’s presence in a difficult situation, drawing parallels to Moses’ plea for God’s continued presence with Israel.
• Use a metaphor of light and darkness to illustrate the significance of God’s presence as the guiding and illuminating force in the life of believers.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Exodus 33 challenges believers to recognize the absolute necessity of God’s presence in their lives. Just as Moses understood that Israel could not succeed without God’s presence, believers today must cultivate a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit, recognizing that it is only through God’s presence that they can fulfill His purposes. Jesus Christ, as Immanuel, is the assurance of God’s presence with His people, and through the Holy Spirit, believers experience ongoing communion with God.

The chapter also highlights the power of intercession, as Moses’ bold prayers move God to act on behalf of the people. Believers are called to intercede for others, trusting in God’s mercy and His willingness to respond to their prayers. Moses’ request to see God’s glory reflects the deep desire to know God more intimately, a desire that is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who reveals the fullness of God’s glory.

Connection to the Father in Exodus 33:

God the Father’s holiness, justice, and mercy are central to Exodus 33. His initial decision to withdraw His presence reflects His holiness and the seriousness of sin, while His willingness to relent in response to Moses’ intercession demonstrates His mercy and faithfulness to His covenant. The revelation of God’s goodness to Moses highlights the Father’s character as compassionate and gracious, and this revelation is fully realized in the person of Jesus Christ.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Exodus 33:

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the themes in Exodus 33. While Moses pleads for God’s presence to remain with Israel, Christ is the assurance of God’s presence with His people. Through His incarnation, Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), and through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He secures the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit for all believers (John 14:16-17). Moses’ request to see God’s glory is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is the perfect revelation of the Father’s glory (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:3).

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Exodus 33:

The Holy Spirit plays a central role in the ongoing presence of God with His people. While God’s presence was once experienced through the tabernacle and the tent of meeting, believers today experience God’s presence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers believers to live in communion with God, guiding them, comforting them, and revealing the truth of God’s Word (John 14:26, Romans 8:9-11).

Connection to God’s Love in Exodus 33:

God’s love is evident in His willingness to relent from withholding His presence and in His gracious response to Moses’ intercession. Despite Israel’s rebellion, God chooses to remain with His people, demonstrating His steadfast love and mercy. This love is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who secures God’s presence with His people through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Through Christ, believers experience the fullness of God’s love and the assurance of His presence.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does Moses’ recognition of the necessity of God’s presence challenge you to depend more fully on the Holy Spirit in your daily life and ministry?
2. In what ways can you follow Moses’ example of bold intercession, praying for others and trusting in God’s mercy and willingness to respond?
3. How can you cultivate intimacy with God, as Moses did in the tent of meeting, and how does Jesus’ work as the ultimate mediator provide direct access to the Father?
4. How does Moses’ request to see God’s glory inspire you to seek a deeper understanding of God’s character, and how does Christ reveal the fullness of God’s glory?
5. How does the assurance of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit provide comfort and guidance in your journey of faith, and how can you live in the reality of that presence each day?